Bands from around Southern California debut their shows in Redlands

Citrus Valley High School performed an original composition by Gary Gilroy entitled "The Gates". The Asian-themed show featured Drum Major Jessica Ramos conducting the band as well as performing a featured solo on clarinet.

On Sept. 28 Redlands High School hosted the 34th annual Preview of Champions field tournament, the kick-off event for the 2013-14 competitive marching band season.

Ten bands from the Inland Empire came to debut their 2013 field shows, and were critiqued by a panel of judges. They use this information to improve their shows before the competitive season.

Citrus Valley High School performed an original composition by Gary Gilroy titled “The Gates.” The Asian-themed show featured Drum Major Jessica Ramos conducting the band as well as performing a featured solo on clarinet.

As in previous years, the Black & Gold Brigade featured a visual display created and constructed by the music boosters. This year, the team of parents displayed two Japanese torii gates as well as a pagoda as backdrops and frames for the BGB show.

CVHS was led by local retired band director Jerry Lees for the Preview of Champions as CVHS Band Director Scott Nelson was at home with his wife Barbara and their newborn son Abraham. Mr. Nelson was able to attend the performance and was very proud of his students for their hard work in his absence, he said.

The CVHS band members said they appreciated the hard work of the RHS Band and their parent boosters for presenting the Preview of Champions.

Redlands East Valley performed their field show, titled “From Russia With Love.” REV Marching Wildcats are under the direction of Adelle Glass. Robert Barton is the brass instructor; Ricardo Lima is the colorguard instructor; and Edgar Sanchez and Leif Davidson serve as percussion educators and arrangers.

The Redlands High School Terrier Marching Band and colorguard performed their show “Newsies!”

The Terriers will perform Saturday in the Chaffey Tournament of Bands, Nov. 9 in the Lester Oaks Field Tournament, Nov. 14 in the John North Blue Star Classic and Nov. 16 in the Moorpark Battle of the Bands.

RHS will also participate in the Redlands 125th Anniversary Veterans Parade Nov. 11.

The evening concluded with Riverside City College Marching Tigers giving a performance of their show, “Spies and Superheroes.”